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Jason Grey

  (3:00 PM)

Hey everyone - good to be back and chatting again - feeling a little smug at the moment about this week's columns on Washburn and Kershaw's changeup after last night :-) Of course, that will last until the next time Quentin goes deep. In any case be prepared for a lot of answers along the lines of "it's still way too early...." ...away we go.

suzanne/chicago

more saves today forward: aardsma or corpas?

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

I'm going to say Corpas....the only reason Aardsma got two saves early is Morrow was unavailable both times due to pitch counts the previous day, and I expect Morrow to get better as the season progresses.

J.L. (Bangkok)

Jason,Do you agree with Cito's apparent decision to sit Travis Snider against lefties?How good can the kid be?

Jason Grey

  (3:03 PM)

I really can't argue when a manager decided he wants to break a kid in a little slowly and put him in situations where he can succeed, especially because I don't think that is going to last. He's a future middle of the order hitter...for now .260 and 20 HR would be a very nice debut.

anthony ( cooper city, florida)

Is it time to get worried about Chris Ianetta, he is my starter in all 5 of my leagues and i rarely react early, advice?

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

I think your tendency to not react early is wise, and it goes that way for anyone at this juncture. If you had a poor ten-game stretch or so in July nobody would notice. They just become more magnified in April, and ihey really shouldn't be.

David (LA, CA)

Help Jason! My pitching is KILLING me! Can I justify dropping RandyJ and Weaver for some combo of Wandy, Guthrie, Davies, or Parra? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

We're still in week two. If you liked them before - absent injury you should still like them now. That's the general rule.

Mike (Calgary, Alberta)

Hermida, Fowler, or Daniel Murphy for 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

Finding it hard not to say Fowler as his playing time is just going to keep increasing. The most fantasy upside is with him, so the upside might win out.

Matt (Lexington KY)

I just picked up Scott Baker should I be worried??

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Not quite yet, but next couple of starts are worth watching closely. First start back off the DL we can cut him some slack, but his one problem has always been the longball, and he gave up something like nine in spring, and four yesterday. If his shoulder isn't allowing him to keep the ball down like he did last year, then we need to worry.

Andre (Pittsburgh, PA)

Who has a better year. Kyle Davies or Gil Meche?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

I'm a believer in Davies this year (own him in practically all of my AL leagues), as I think the confidence and control has finally caught up with his stuff, so he's well worth considering in mixed leagues, but I'm not ready to put him over Meche yet.

Bill (CA)

Any update on Carlos Lee? It looks like he was taken out after his last at bat? Double Switch or an Injury?

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

Wasn't watching that one - had the Yankees and the Marlins games on here - anyone watching that one want to give an update I can post?

Red Birds Closer

rest of the year: Franklin or Perez?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Saw Perez live yesterday - still having problems with his control so he's tough to bet on at the moment. Bottom line is he has to throw more strikes.

Eric (MA)

Will Hanson be the real deal this yr? Or next?

Jason Grey

  (3:12 PM)

Ready to get hitters out from day one when he steps in, in my opinion.

Mike (Boston)

Is Tommy Hanson rosterable in a 10 team mixed league with eight bench spots?

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

I think that might be a tad shallow, but here's the way I look at it. I want a chance for a huge return and a lot of upside on a mixed league bench, because there are stable veterans I can grab in the FA pool if I need them. Give yourself a chance to get lucky. That goes for any top prospect - those are the players I want to stash away on a mixed league bench.

Ben (Chicago)

Buy low on Nolasco?

Jason Grey

  (3:14 PM)

Yes.

Endy Chavez

Am I for realz??? Am I a better pickup than Elijah???

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

No...you have a big BABIP right now, and Dukes is the far better player.

clint( st paul MN)

jason-please answer! in a 16 team mixed league. last year there were studs that went undrafted. cliff lee, ervin santana, floyd and danks, and volquez. who are this years potential pitching studs that went undrafted in most leagues!? thanks a ton!

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

Top of my head - Anderson, Cahill, maybe Davies in the mix - Hanson when he comes up, liking what I am seeing of Anibal Sanchez so far ( who a lot of people have forgotten about) - not necessarily studs in the Josh Johnson sense, but guys that have been overlooked a bit.

Nelson Cruz (Texas)

Am I for real? I'm hitting .278 with 5hrs and 12rbis....oh, and by the way, I have a babip of only .217

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

100% real. I bid $24 on you in Tout Wars and got snickers. Don't think that's the case now.

Steve (Raleigh)

What do you project for Travis Snider? ROY candidate?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

Answered this in an earlier question. He's certainly;y the best choice for ROY now just by virtue of PT, until Wieters, Price get called up.

Luke (Tampa)

Speaking of overreating - Dice K was cut in 14 team mixed league. Use #1 waiver priority and stash on the DL?

Jason Grey

  (3:19 PM)

If you can stash him, absolutely.

Jason Grey

  (3:21 PM)

Speaking of overreacting, if you ever bump into me remind me to tell you a story of how I left a league when someone traded Roy Halladay for Mike Benjamin three weeks into the season...and it was allowed. A long time ago and still amazes me.

JB (BKLYN)

Hi Jason. It looks like Jordan Zimmermann is going to the start on Monday. What do you expect from him this season after his stellar spring?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

I like his aggressiveness and confidence to go with the stuff. I think he's a future middle of the rotation guy, but may have some bumps in the road in the short term. Not starting him in mixed leagues yet, but NL-only sure.

Zach (PA)

Are ROlen and Andruw Jones back? Worth a pick up in a shallow league? Also, would you recommend patience with Alexei Ramirez?

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

Jones PT is still going to be a bit sproadic, so that may not help in a shallow league, and he's faced some BAD pitching thus far. Bat speed stil not good at the moment. Patience with Alexei, and Rolen's off to a nice start, but those years of injuries would have me hesitant to rely on either his offense or health in a shallow format. I've spot started him a bit in daily leagues, simply because the 3B pool is relatively shallow this season.

Scott (Binghamton, NY)

Since you were watching both the Yanks and Cano today, what's your take on their 2nd baseman (Cano, Uggla). Who do you prefer? Will they both keep up their hot starts?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

I preferred Cano over Uggla before the season, and still do now. Bounce back year for Cano . 300 15 HR's etc.

Ian Kinser

Will I pass that joke of a 2B Utley to be the #1 fantasy 2B this year?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

You were on track to be the #1 last year before getting hurt. At one point you were the most valuable player in the game in terms of fantasy value. All you need to do is stay healthy for a full season.

Sean (Brooklyn)

What are your thoughts on Cano for 09? I have both him and Kendrick (and Bonafacio) and want to move one of them. My gut tells me to move kendrick. Thoughts?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

If you can look into the archives, Tristan and I had this very debate in a Diamond Debate in March. I am well-known for having a weak spot for Howie, and I think he's going to stay healthy this season. Hitting in the 2 spot helps as well. If you're talking trade, I would think Cano would have the most value. I would not dump Kendrick to keep Bonifacio unless you don't have other options at 3rd.

Wayne (CA)

Do you ever start your hitters against your own pitchers?

Jason Grey

  (3:28 PM)

Sure - it's like hedging your bets.

lindstrom(FL)

I just got drop, should I be picked off waivers with the #1?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

If you need the saves, sure. Relatively stable closers are always hard to come by.

Brendan, NY

Someone like Hanson is tantalizing for sure, but would you cut bait with Baker or Ubaldo for him when he does indeed come up?

Jason Grey

  (3:30 PM)

To be honest, we don't have to make that call yet, so let's see where things are when he does come up. Normally, no, but a lot of things can change before then - another one of your pitchers might get hurt, etc.

steve(Pittsburgh)

Mr. Grey:What gives with Alex Gordon? Who would you rather start at 3b Gordon, DeRosa or Encarnacion?

Jason Grey

  (3:31 PM)

He's having some hip issues at the moment, but I'm willing to keep starting him and let him work through it.

gregg (cleveland, oh)

12 team mixed where SPs are really snatched up. Take a flier on Ricky Romero or Brett Anderson? Or stash Hanson and hope he comes up sooner than later? I'd be cutting James McDonald

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

Anderson

dan (nyc)

Is Chris Duncan going to get regular playing time? He sure is hitting right now.

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

You never know the way LaRussa likes to shuffle the deck. My guess is Duncan sits occasionally against lefties going forward, and there's some kind of four-man OF rotation.

Joe (DC)

In a deep keeper, which side do you want: Tulo/Kemp or Bay/Thome/Furcal?

Jason Grey

  (3:33 PM)

Tulo/Kemp

Greg: AL

Who do you like in a points league for the season, A. Gonzalez or Votto?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Very, very close - might go Votto given the better lineup around him.

JB (NY)

Can you speak a bit on Andrew Bailey (RP; OAK)? He seems to be pitching very well - is this another SP that OAK has pulled out of nowhere who will be an excellent RP?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

I've seen a lot of Bailey this past spring and in the AFL. He picked up velo since the move to the pen to 94-95 and there is nice cut to it. I was concerned he might not throw enough strikes, but to his credit he's been attacking and trusting his stuff. Oakland has done a very good job drafting live arms that need to develop their secondary stuff and helping make them better pitchers, and they have more in the pipeline. I actually have Bailey on a couple of deep AL rosters, and he could be a darkhorse for saves later in the year if Ziegler gets hurt or falters.

Seth Smith:Denver, CO

Can you belive clint gives me starts with my sub .100 batting ave

Jason Grey

  (3:40 PM)

Smith can hit if given some PT to work things out in the early going. There are a number of teams that would gladly take him off the Rox hands if they wanted to move him. That said, his biggest issue at the moment is Fowler. Smith's a better hitter than his stats would indicate at this point.

Steve (Forked River, NJ)

Mr. Grey, you buying volstad's start??? rank em.. volstad, danks, scherzer.

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

Danks, Scherzer, Volstad. Scherzer the nod for the K potential. Volstad is more of a groundball, keep the ball down in the zone, not let them make good contact type, so there will be some fluctuations, but yeah, he's good.

Gus - NJ

Could talk for a bit about Purcey? Worth a pick up, especially against Oak?

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

I have never had the confidence that he could have consistent command in the big leagues. I think he's going to alternate good starts with bad ones, and be frustrating to own. I need to see a bit more consistency before I can really recommend him. Just my .02

David (Anchorage, AK)

Jason, all the Carlos Lee owners can now have a collective sigh as it appears he exited the game on a double switch. SIGH

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Thanks for the update.

Alex

Are you trusting Colon in a 12 team league?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

No, I have him rostered in a 15 team with seven reserve spots where SP is tough to come by, and AL only. That's about my limit with him for right now.

Jack Cust (Oakland, CA)

What kind of line do you see for me this season?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Similar to last year, slight uptick in BA, but not much. You know what you're getting here.

Jason

Drop Pelfrey for Slowey?

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

I would take Slowey over Pelfrey 100% of the time.

Thomas (K-Ville)

Is Masterson worth a pickup or should I hold off for now?

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

It always depends on the drop, but yes, his value is about to go up.

Bob (Madison, WI)

Fowler is the name of the day apparently. Should I be looking in that direction over David Murphy, Rick Ankiel and/or Denard Span? Thanks Jason.

Jason Grey

  (3:45 PM)

I think you have to go with Span, who is amazingly only owned in about 16% of ESPN leagues as of last night.

JB (Harrisburg, PA)

Jason Nelson Cruz is off to an unbelievable start, but is this Chris Shelton 2.0?

Jason Grey

  (3:46 PM)

No. It's not Chris Truby 2.0 either. 'Nuff said

Bob Huntington Beach, CA

Jason, Thanks for taking the time for us. Garrett Adkins seems sure to get traded, what do you see for his numbers, if he doesn't, since who knows where he goes?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

I think his numbers were on the decline and at-bat driven anyway, so I don't see much improvement on last year's totals, if any. They might be his new baseline.

Annoyed (Tons of us)

How many years before Hanson and Fowler team up to cure cancer and reverse global warming?

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

Isn't one of the keys to this game being a little bit ahead of the curve?But points for humor - I got a good chuckle out of that one.

JJ (Space)

Follow up on Thomas's Q - Masterson or Cahill for 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

Cahill - partially because Masterson's rotation stay may only be temporary.

JB - Memphis

What do I do with Aviles? He seems too good to drop, and got off too slow to trade... but people like Escobar, Andrus, or Theriot look good too... What would you do?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

Given those options. I think you can stik with Aviles, even though his BA will be under .300 this year. It depends on how badly you need speed, because then Theriot could be an option.

Sam (Dallas)

what do you make of Mike Cameron so far? viable option for h2h mixed league?s

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

He pretty much always has been, especially if he has some decent matchups against poor pitching staffs that week. He and Randy Winn have always been underrated in mixed leagues.

Elvis (Texas)

Am I the next Jose Reyes?

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

Nope, more like the next Edgar Renteria (back when he was good)

joe, Detroit

Jason, Looking for an of with some thump. Dont need sbs but dont want to get slammed in b ave. 5x5 mixed.Who is the best and top 2-3 of Ankiel, Swisher, Burrell, Lind, Dukes and Cameron???Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

For thump only,Burrell and Swisher

JJ (NM)

Weak at the SS position, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Bartlet are my options, does Jason have it in him to keep his strong start going all season?

Jason Grey

  (3:55 PM)

I prefer Cabrera to Bartlett. I think AsCab could prove to be very underrated this season, unless you really need Bartlett's 20 SB vs. AsCab's 10 - it's plausible that Bartlett may not homer again all year.

Strategy Question

If you see a guy who *should* be owned on the wire, but don't really have room, what do you do? For example, in a 4 OF, 1 UTIL lineup, i have Abreu, Markakis, Quentin, Cruz, and Dukes. But Cameron is out there...?

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

I think you're OK with what you have. Cameron may not be a fit for every team depending on its makeup.

Scoring

why doesn't a HBP count as a BB in fantasy?

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

It's an evil plot hatched by a conglomerate of insurance companies.

John (Hartford)

Pick a catcher: Snyder, Pudge, Suzuki

Jason Grey

  (3:57 PM)

Snyder despite his cold start

Bill (Spokane)

How do you expect Yovani "Lamborghini" Gallardo to do this season?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

ERA mid-3's WHIP under 1.3 - If someone is letting him go cheap, pounce.

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

A lot of questions about Sandioval....Patience, he's going to hit.

Jason Grey

  (4:00 PM)

Mauer questions = rehab assignment starting next week - positive sign. He's able to run without pain now, which wasn't the case before.

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

Time for 3 more.... more than 1000 questions in the queue - sorry I can't get to everyone - please note I read and respond to all the comments in my columns, so you can also catch me there. I've even been friending readers on Facebook :-)...I thank everyone for the interest, and sorry I couldn't get to more.

Earl MPLS

Aaron Hill ends the season with a line off.....?

Jason Grey

  (4:03 PM)

.285 15 HRs at least; Had a good '07 and was just starting to come around when he got hurt last year. He's legit.

Dan (Bridgewater, NJ)

Should we be patient about Pedroia too?

Jason Grey

  (4:04 PM)

100% Absolutely.

john

Is Wieters worth stashing>

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

Yes, given the depth of the catching pool and the likelihood he'll be starting sometime in June.

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

One more...

Billy the Brewer (Wisc.)

Ryan Braun: early season slump or intercostal injury? Discuss...

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

I'm leaning towards slump right now, given the way I've seen him swing the bat - not panicking yet.

Jason Grey

  (4:05 PM)

Thanks everyone!